Australian School of Business Accounting ACCT5949 Managing Agile Organisations Course Outline Semester 1, 2014 Part A: Course-Specific Information Part B: Key Policies, Student Responsibilities and Support.
Table of Contents PART A: COURSE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION 3 1 STAFF CONTACT DETAILS 3 2 COURSE DETAILS 3 2.1 Teaching Times and Locations 3 2.2 Units of Credit 3 2.3 Summary of Course 3 2.4 Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses 3 2.5 Student Learning Outcomes 4 3 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES 6 3.1 Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course 6 3.2 Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies 6 4 ASSESSMENT 6 4.1 Formal Requirements 6 4.2 Assessment Details 7 4.3 Assignment Submission Procedure 7 4.4 Late Submission 7 5 COURSE RESOURCES 8 6 COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT 8 7 COURSE SCHEDULE 9 PART B: KEY POLICIES, STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND SUPPORT 10 8 PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES 10 9 ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM 11 10 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT 11 10.1 Workload 11 10.2 Attendance 12 10.3 General Conduct and Behaviour 12 10.4 Occupational Health and Safety 12 10.5 Keeping Informed 12 11 SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS 13 12 STUDENT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT 13 1 7 2
PART A: COURSE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION 1 STAFF CONTACT DETAILS TEACHING STAFF Associate Professor Jane Baxter ROOM TELEPHONE Email NUMBER Quad 3106 9385 5912 j.baxter@unsw.edu.au 2 COURSE DETAILS 2.1 Teaching Times and Locations This course will be taught in weeks 1 to 13 on Thursday from 6.00 9.00pm. The class will be held in Colombo LG.01. 2.2 Units of Credit This course is worth 6 units of credit. 2.3 Summary of Course This course examines a range of readings, both contemporary and seminal, which will provide you with a variety of insights into organisational agility. The first part of the course poses and seeks to address a number of relevant and related questions. What are agile organisations? What is managing? What is leadership? The second part of the course examines the various resources that managers can draw upon in developing and sustaining agile organisations. The resources considered in this course encompass the following: organisational structures, interactional frames, power, culture, and time and space. The third part of the course addresses the topic of managing organisational change and innovation, an issue that is fundamental to the constitution of agile organisations. 2.4 Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses This course aims to make you a more informed and effective strategic resource manager in today s turbulent competitive environment. The course provides a set of concepts and experiences that will enable you to develop a more reflective and critical understanding of management and organisations in action, as well as providing frames that will shape how you engage with and influence organisational practices. No prior knowledge is required to undertake this course. This course is designed for business students, such as experts in accounting, economics, finance, business law, marketing and information technology, who aspire to managerial and leadership roles. 3
2.5 Student Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, you should be able to: 1. Describe and understand the nature of agile organisations; 2. Describe and understand the nature of managerial work 3. Explain and critically analyse the various resources available to facilitate managerial work in agile organisations; 4. Apply the concepts learned in this course to practice and case scenarios; 5. Evaluate and justify choices of managerial practices in particular situations; 6. Construct written work that is logically and professionally presented; 7. Communicate ideas in a succinct and clear manner; and 8. Work collaboratively to complete tasks. The Course Learning Outcomes are what you should be able to DO by the end of this course if you participate fully in learning activities and successfully complete the assessment items. The Learning Outcomes in this course also help you to achieve some of the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes for all postgraduate coursework students in the ASB. Program Learning Goals are what we want you to BE or HAVE by the time you successfully complete your degree. You demonstrate this by achieving specific Program Learning Outcomes - what you are able to DO by the end of your degree. ASB Postgraduate Coursework Program Learning Goals and Outcomes 1. Knowledge: Our graduates will have current disciplinary or interdisciplinary knowledge applicable in local and global contexts. You should be able to identify and apply current knowledge of disciplinary or interdisciplinary theory and professional practice to business in local and global environments. 2. Critical thinking and problem solving: Our graduates will have critical thinking and problem solving skills applicable to business and management practice or issues. You should be able to identify, research and analyse complex issues and problems in business and/or management, and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions. 3. Communication: Our graduates will be effective communicators in professional contexts. You should be able to: a. Produce written documents that communicate complex disciplinary ideas and information effectively for the intended audience and purpose, and b. Produce oral presentations that communicate complex disciplinary ideas and information effectively for the intended audience and purpose. 4. Teamwork: Our graduates will be effective team participants. You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your own teamwork, and on the team s processes and ability to achieve outcomes. 5. Ethical, social and environmental responsibility: Our graduates will have a sound awareness of ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business issues and practice. You should be able to: a. Identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in business decision-making and practice, and b. Consider social and cultural implications of business and /or management practice. 4
For more information on the Postgraduate Coursework Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, see Part B of the course outline. The following table shows how your Course Learning Outcomes relate to the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, and indicates where these are assessed (they may also be practised in tutorials and other activities): Program Learning Goals and Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes Course Assessment Item This course helps you to achieve the following learning goals for all ASB postgraduate coursework students: On successful completion of the course, you should be able to: 1 Knowledge Describe and understand the nature of agile organisations; 2 Critical thinking and problem solving Describe and understand the nature of managerial work Explain and critically analyse the various resources available to facilitate managerial work in agile organisations; Apply the concepts learned in this course to practice and case scenarios; This learning outcome will be assessed in the following items: In-class examination Participation Individual Poster Presentation Group Assignment In-class examination Participation Group Assignment Evaluate and justify choices of managerial practices in particular situations; 3a Written communication Construct written work which is logically and professionally presented. Group assignment In class examination 3b Oral communication Communicate ideas in a succinct and clear manner. Individual poster presentation Group presentation Participation 4 Teamwork Work collaboratively to complete a task. Group assignment & presentation Participation 5a. Ethical, environmental and sustainability responsibility Not specifically addressed in this course. Not specifically addressed. 5b. Social and cultural awareness Not specifically addressed in this course. Not specifically addressed. 5
3 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES 3.1 Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course At university, the focus is on your self-directed search for knowledge. Seminars, course readings, case studies, assignments, exams and other resources are all provided to help you learn. You are therefore required to attend all seminars, and read all required readings prior to class in order to fully grasp and appreciate the concepts to be discussed and evaluated in this course. It is up to you to choose how much work you do in each part of the course: preparing for seminars; completing assignments; studying for exams; and seeking assistance or extra work to extend and clarify your understanding. You must choose an approach that best suits your learning style and goals in this course. Seminar questions and self study questions are provided to guide your learning process. 3.2 Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies This course adopts a number of learning and teaching strategies. Classes may involve a mix of teacher-centred learning, independent work, group work, case studies and participative discussions amongst course participants. Discussion questions will be distributed prior to each seminar session, together with a reading list. The required reading must be completed, and discussion questions and exercises attempted prior to each seminar session. Students will be asked, on a random basis, to lead components of a seminar session (dealing with a particular question or exercise, for example). Time will be provided within seminar sessions for the discussion of assignments-in-progress and completed assignments. 4 ASSESSMENT 4.1 Formal Requirements To be eligible for a passing grade in this course, students must: (a) achieve a composite mark of at least 50% AND (b) satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks (or submit appropriate documentation relating to your failure to complete a task to the Lecturer-incharge). 6
4.2 Assessment Details Assessment Task Weighting Length Due Date Participation 10% Weeks 1-13 Week 13 Individual Poster Presentation In Class Examination Group Assignment 20% 5 minutes, plus submission of brief report 30% 2 hours, plus reading time 30% 3,000 words Week 5 Week 9 Week 12 Group Presentation of Group Assignment 10% 15 minutes Week 13 4.3 Assignment Submission Procedure All assessments are to be submitted at the commencement of the class in the week in which they are due. 4.4 Late Submission Assessments must be submitted in time (refer to 4.3 above). Failure to do so will attract a penalty, calculated as follows: one day late - 10% of the maximum possible mark; two days late - 20% of the maximum possible mark; three days late - 40% of the maximum possible mark; four days late - 60% of the maximum possible mark; and five or more days late - 100% of the total mark. Extensions will be granted in exceptional circumstances by the Lecturer-in-Charge. Applications for an extension must be made in writing and supported by medical certificates and/or other documentation. The onus is on students to plan their workloads to meet course deadlines. Quality Assurance The ASB is actively monitoring student learning and quality of the student experience in all its programs. A random selection of completed assessment tasks may be used for quality assurance, such as to determine the extent to which program learning goals are being achieved. The information is required for accreditation purposes, and aggregated findings will be used to inform changes 7 aimed at improving the quality of ASB programs. All material used for such processes will be treated as confidential.
5 COURSE RESOURCES There is no set textbook for this course. Students will be provided with a list of required readings. 6 COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT Each year feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the courses offered in the School and continual improvements are made based on this feedback. UNSW's Course and Teaching Evaluation and Improvement (CATEI) Process is one of the ways in which student evaluative feedback is gathered. In this course, we will seek your feedback through end of semester CATEI. As a result of this feedback, continuous improvements are made in this course. 8
7 COURSE SCHEDULE Lectures start in Week 1 and finish in Week 13. Week Topic Area Week 1 Thursday 6 th March Week 2 Thursday 13 th March Week 3 Thursday 20 th March Week 4 Thursday 27 th March Week 5 Thursday 3 rd April Week 6 Thursday 10 th April Week 7 Thursday 17 th April Week 8 Thursday 1 st May Week 9 Thursday 8 th May Week 10 Thursday 15 th May Module 1: What is? What is an agile organisation? What is managing? What is leadership? Module 2: Resources for Managing Organisational structures Individual Poster Presentation Night Frames for interactions Power Mid-Semester Break: 18 th April 27 th April Organisational culture In Class Examination Time and space Module 3: Agility and Organisational Change Week 11 Thursday 22 nd May Week 12 Thursday 29 th May Week 13 Thursday 5 th June Group Assignment Preparation Organisational change and innovation Group Assignments Due Group Presentation Night 9
PART B: KEY POLICIES, STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND SUPPORT 8 PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES The Australian School of Business Program Learning Goals reflect what we want all students to BE or HAVE by the time they successfully complete their degree, regardless of their individual majors or specialisations. For example, we want all our graduates to HAVE a high level of business knowledge, and a sound awareness of ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business. As well, we want all our graduates to BE effective problem-solvers, communicators and team participants. These are our overall learning goals for you. You can demonstrate your achievement of these goals by the specific outcomes you achieve by the end of your degree (e.g. be able to analyse and research business problems and propose well-justified solutions). Each course contributes to your development of two or more program learning goals/outcomes by providing opportunities for you to practise these skills and to be assessed and receive feedback. Program Learning Goals for undergraduate and postgraduate students cover the same key areas (application of business knowledge, critical thinking, communication and teamwork, ethical, social and environmental responsibility), which are key goals for all ASB students and essential for success in a globalised world. However, the specific outcomes reflect different expectations for these levels of study. We strongly advise you to choose a range of courses which assist your development of these skills, e.g., courses assessing written and oral communication skills, and to keep a record of your achievements against the Program Learning Goals as part of your portfolio. ASB Postgraduate Coursework Program Learning Goals and Outcomes 1. Knowledge: Our graduates will have current disciplinary or interdisciplinary knowledge applicable in local and global contexts. You should be able to identify and apply current knowledge of disciplinary or interdisciplinary theory and professional practice to business in local and global environments. 2. Critical thinking and problem solving: Our graduates will have critical thinking and problem solving skills applicable to business and management practice or issues. You should be able to identify, research and analyse complex issues and problems in business and/or management, and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions. 3. Communication: Our graduates will be effective communicators in professional contexts. You should be able to: a. Produce written documents that communicate complex disciplinary ideas and information effectively for the intended audience and purpose, and b. Produce oral presentations that communicate complex disciplinary ideas and information effectively for the intended audience and purpose. 4. Teamwork: Our graduates will be effective team participants. You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your own teamwork, and on the team s processes and ability to achieve outcomes. 5. Ethical, social and environmental responsibility: Our graduates will have a sound awareness of ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business issues and practice. You should be able to: 10
a. Identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in business decision-making and practice, and b. Consider social and cultural implications of business and /or management practice. For MBT and MBA programs: 6. Leadership: Our graduates will have an understanding of effective leadership. You should be able to reflect on your personal leadership experience, and on the capabilities necessary for leadership. 9 ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM The University regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct, and has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. For UNSW policies, penalties, and information to help you avoid plagiarism see: http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism/index.html as well as the guidelines in the online ELISE and ELISE Plus tutorials for all new UNSW students: http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/skills/tutorials/infoskills/index.htm. To see if you understand plagiarism, do this short quiz: http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism/plagquiz.html For information on how to acknowledge your sources and reference correctly, see: http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/ref.html For the ASB Harvard Referencing Guide, see the ASB Referencing and Plagiarism webpage (ASB >Learning and Teaching>Student services> Referencing and plagiarism) 10 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to university policies in relation to class attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping informed. Information and policies on these topics can be found in the A-Z Student Guide : https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/a.html. See, especially, information on Attendance and Absence, Academic Misconduct, Assessment Information, Examinations, Student Responsibilities, Workload and policies such as Occupational Health and Safety. 10.1 Workload It is expected that you will spend at least nine to ten hours per week studying this course. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities. 11
We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course website in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course. Information for staff and students on expected workload: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/unitsofcredit.html 10.2 Attendance Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars is expected in this course. University regulations indicate that if students attend less than 80% of scheduled classes they may be refused final assessment. Reference for 80% guideline is at: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/attendanceabsence.html 10.3 General Conduct and Behaviour You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class. More information on student conduct is available at: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/behaviourofstudents.html 10.4 Occupational Health and Safety UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others. For more information, see http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/. 10.5 Keeping Informed You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details. 12
11 SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS You must submit all assignments and attend all examinations scheduled for your course. You should seek assistance early if you suffer illness or misadventure which affects your course progress. General Information on Special Consideration: 1. All applications for special consideration must be lodged online through myunsw within 3 working days of the assessment (Log into myunsw and go to My Student Profile tab > My Student Services channel > Online Services > Special Consideration). You will then need to submit the originals or certified copies of your completed Professional Authority form (pdf - download here) and other supporting documentation to Student Central. For more information, please study carefully the instructions and conditions at: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/specialconsideration.html. 2. Please note that documentation may be checked for authenticity and the submission of false documentation will be treated as academic misconduct. The School may ask to see the original or certified copy. 3. Applications will not be accepted by teaching staff. The lecturer-in-charge will be automatically notified when you lodge an online application for special consideration. 4. Decisions and recommendations are only made by lecturers-in-charge (or by the Faculty Panel in the case of UG final exam special considerations), not by tutors. 5. Applying for special consideration does not automatically mean that you will be granted a supplementary exam or other concession. 6. Special consideration requests do not allow lecturers-in-charge to award students additional marks. 12 STUDENT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT The University and the ASB provide a wide range of support services for students, including: ASB Education Development Unit (EDU) http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/learningandteaching Click on Student Services. Academic writing, study skills and maths support specifically for ASB students. Services include workshops, online resources, and individual consultations. EDU Office: Room GO7, Ground Floor, ASB Building (opposite Student Centre); Phone: 9385 5584; Email: edu@unsw.edu.au. Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/educationdevelopmentunit. ASB Student Centre http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/requests Advice and direction on all aspects of admission, enrolment and graduation. Ground Floor, West Wing, ASB Building; Phone: 9385 3189. 13
Moodle elearning Support: For online help using Moodle, follow the links from www.elearning.unsw.edu.au to Moodle / Support for Students. For technical support, email: itservicecentre@unsw.edu.au; Phone: 9385 1333. UNSW Learning Centre (www.lc.unsw.edu.au ) Academic skills support services, including workshops and resources, for all UNSW students. See website for details. Library training and search support services: http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/web/services/services.html IT Service Centre: Technical support for problems logging in to websites, downloading documents etc. https://www.it.unsw.edu.au/students/index.html UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor). UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services: (http://www.counselling.unsw.edu.au) Free, confidential service for problems of a personal or academic nature; and workshops on study issues such as Coping with Stress and Procrastination. Office: Level 2, Quadrangle East Wing; Phone: 9385 5418. Student Equity & Disabilities Unit (http://www.studentequity.unsw.edu.au). Advice regarding equity and diversity issues, and support for students who have a disability or disadvantage that interferes with their learning. Office: Ground Floor, John Goodsell Building; Phone: 9385 4734. 14